Arboretum Project

The UT Arboretum is a place for all seasons! Walkers can enjoy our over five miles of Walking Trails year round. There is always something in bloom at the Arboretum and our Featured Plants page showcases a different plant each month. Bird and Wildlife spotting is common during every season and holly berries abound in the Elmore Holly Garden during the holidays. Enjoy a virtual tour of the Arboretum via our Photo Gallery. The Arboretum and Arboretum Society hosts spring and fall plant sales, seasonal workshops, timely lectures, and special guided walks - even on New Year's Day!

Rules for Visitors

All public access is walking only. (Persons with disabilities may obtain permission to drive on roads.)

Please stay on designated areas and observe all posted signs

No collecting of any materials

No picnicking

No pets

No bikes or skateboards

Featured Plant - Leatherleaf Mahonia

Leatherleaf Mahonia (Mahonia bealei) - also known as Beale’s Mahonia - is a native of China that has been planted extensively and is a potential invader of Southeastern woodlands. This upright, evergreen shrub produces terminal clusters of fragrant yellow flowers between January and early March. The Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council lists Mahonia in its “Emerging Threats” category because of its invasive characteristics. Read more about this shrub on our Featured Plant page.

Events

View the UT Arboretum and UT Arboretum Society Events Calendar for information about all the scheduled up-coming events!

News

Over a 100 people were in attendance at “The Best Camera May Be the One in Your Pocket” program that was presented on Thursday, February 7, at the Oak Ridge Campus of Roane State Community College. Doug Edlund, Assistant Director of Operations, Marketing and Communications at the UT Institute of Agriculture, shared his tips and tricks to get the most out of smartphone photography. Doug also shared many of his personal photos and associated stories, plus techniques and settings on a smartphone camera that will help users fully utilize their devices. The program - co-sponsored by the UT Arboretum Society and the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center - was well received by the audience and Doug stayed well after the program was over to meet with members of the audience on their specific questions and needs.

The Arboretum Auditorium

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Auditorium is a picturesque setting for events, meetings, and workshops. It is available for rent during all seasons! Our Auditorium Event Rental page has information about how you can rent this unique facility.

The Auditorium and the nearby Sharp Program Shelter is also a beautiful place to celebrate your wedding and reception. Visit our Weddings and Receptions page to plan your special day at the UT Arboretum.

Tennessee Urban Forestry Council Member

The UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center and Arboretum officially received the Level 4 arboreta re-certification status by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) on Monday March 16, 2018. This accomplishment was a year-long team effort by the FRREC staff, center volunteers, and UTIA/UTK personnel. Visit our Urban Trees page to read about this special certification and view a map containing the locations of the over 120 trees that qualified for the Level 4 designation.

The Arboretum Society

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society (UTAS) is a non-profit organization of volunteers from throughout Tennessee, dedicated to furthering the objectives and programs of the Forest Resources Research and Education Center's Arboretum Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Chartered in 1965, the Arboretum Society has assisted the Arboretum by providing support and funding for such projects as expanding plant collections, constructing facilities to enhance the public's use and enjoyment of the Arboretum, and informing the public of the unique value and importance of the Arboretum to the area. Recently, the Society accepted the challenge of providing a portion of the operating funds needed to assure continued public access to the Arboretum.

Information about the Society and membership opportunities are available at the UT Arboretum Visitors Center or by e-mail at utarboretumsociety@gmail.com. A history of the Society can be viewed on our web page UTAS History.

Inclement Weather

Please be advised that the UT Arboretum follows the same weather closures as the Knoxville Campus. In the event that our staff cannot make it in and/or the conditions are deemed unsafe, we will close the UT Arboretum and the gate will be up and locked. We ask that you refrain from entering the property at any time the gate is locked.

Professional Photographers Policy

The UT Forest Resoures AgResearch and Education Center (FRREC)/Arboretum is proud to
provide an attractive venue for all types of outdoor photography in the East Tennessee region.
However, considerable materials and labor are required to maintain the UT FRREC/Arboretum to the
high standard that has attracted so many professional photographers for their photography sessions.
As a result, starting on July 23, 2014 the UT FRREC/Arboretum implemented a new Photography Policy. Click here to view the new Photography Policy.